ANNE OF GREEN GABLES

Kate Burton characterizes 11-year-old Anne’s passionate, excitable personality with a headlong delivery that makes every bit of her dialogue a near monologue. In contrast, Burton portrays her caretakers, Marilla and her brother, Matthew, as slow speaking, taciturn, and sometimes amused at Anne's overblown emotions. In addition, the descriptive parts of the story are also delivered at a slower pace so that listeners can enjoy the glorious details of the Prince Edward Island locales and the splendors of a bygone era. Just as the red-haired orphan breathes new life into the dull days of the elderly siblings, Burton breathes new life into this 1908 classic, proving, once again, that it has endured the test of time. A magnificent forward by fellow Canadian Margaret Atwood combines her personal and professional views of the story. S.W. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2008]